Lynn Swann won four Super Bowl rings before going to the Hall of Fame. Health Shuler starred at Tennessee before starting a four-year career in the NFL. Both gridiron veterans are attempting to parlay their sports careers into political machines on Election Day Nov. 7. Swann is running for governor of Pennsylvania and Shuler for Congress in North Carolina.

Excursions in California, North Carolina and elsewhere wrap up the holiday spirit with cookies and hot chocolate, "North Pole" stops, visits from Santa and, in some cases, pajama-clad children a la "The Polar Express." Tourism railways have converted their steam- or diesel-powered trains to Christmas-themed transportation for a growing number of passengers.